Page 40 of Bennett

He’d spent the entire walk over replaying his conversation with Laurel. The way her hair had looked, damp and tumbling over her shoulders. The way her mouth had curved into a grin when she’d thrown his own grumpiness right back at him.

She was way too good at getting under his skin.

But as annoying as it was, he couldn’t deny she was something else. Beautiful, stubborn, smart-mouthed…and surprisingly brave for someone who clearly had no business being in the middle of a situation like this.

He entered the feed room—aka Carter’s Lair—to find Matthew already seated, leaning back in a chair with one boot propped on the table’s edge. Cooper and Mac were nowhere in sight, probably still neck-deep in their assignment, as was the rest of the team.

“Morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Matthew drawled with a grin. “Heard you had yourself a cozy night keeping watch over the damsel in distress.”

He snorted. “Nothing says luxury like a few planks of wood and a drafty room.” Bennett dropped into a chair next to Matthew, his gaze narrowing on the guy. “And she’s not a damsel in distress.”

“Ah…” Matthew’s grin widened. “But you definitely think she’s a handful.”

“I think she’s stubborn.”

“So, your type, then.”

He scowled. “Would you stop making everything sound like some sort of romantic comedy? Like you, I’m there to make sure the damn place is secure. That’s it.”

“Sure, sure. Just doing your job.” Matthew’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Though from what I hear, she’s been giving you a run for your money.”

Bennett grunted. “She’s got a mouth on her, I’ll give her that.”

“And I’ve gotta give you points, too.” Matthew grinned.

“For what?”

“The whole walking her out thing,” the guy replied, nodding toward the monitors lining the wall, currently displaying the video feeds from the renovation site. “And I’m extremely curious as to your remark about ahand sanitizer assassin. Did it have something to do with the scuffle I heard when you entered her apartment last night? Care to fill me in?”

The idiot had obviously been watching their exchange on the monitors this morning, and although, as of yet, there were no cameras in Laurel’s apartment, it was apparent their conversation had been picked up by the entry area surveillance.

Thank God they hadn’t seen him subduing Laurel against the wall last night. A reflex he’d unexpectedly enjoyed and was trying to forget…without much luck.

Bennett’s body heated at the memory of how incredible her ample curves had felt pressed against him.

With a silent oath, he worked to ignore it and the question. “Carter and Tyler get there yet?”

“About ten minutes ago.” Matthew nodded. “Carter texted to say they were starting the rewiring in her apartment first.”

“Good.” Bennett eyed the monitors. “Any luck with the footage from last night?”

Matthew’s smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. “Been combing through it since I got here. So far, nothing but static and shadows.”

“Perfect,” Bennett muttered. He leaned back in his chair, tension coiling in his shoulders all over again. “I didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary last night. Any chance it’s just random vandalism?”

Matthew shook his head. “Too calculated. It’s like they know exactly when and where to strike. And they’re good at staying out of sight. Which means either they’re damn lucky or they’ve been watching the place long enough to know the gaps in coverage.”

And that he’d been staying there last night.

Bennett’s jaw clenched. The idea of someone keeping tabs on Laurel—of watching her while she stubbornly insisted on staying in that apartment—made his blood pressure spike.

“If they’re trying to sabotage the renovations, it’s working,” he said. “But it feels personal. Like they’re trying to make a point.”

“Agreed.” Matthew drummed his fingers on the table. “Gabe’s still looking into past employees, but so far, no red flags. And he’s got his deputies keeping an eye out for anyone lurking around the area.”

“Good. But if whoever’s doing this keeps coming back, it’s only a matter of time before they slip up.”

“Yeah. Unless Laurel ends up being their target instead.”